iBeacons in Business

Apple have created an alternative to providing location-based information and services to iPhones and other iOS devices. iBeacon has been achieved through the implementation of Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) wireless technology. The beacons themselves are Bluetooth transmitters, that respond with Apps installed on the consumers iPhone when in range. Any iOS device that supports sharing data, using Bluetooth low-energy, can send signals to an iBeacon app.

Virgin Atlantic, for example, is testing iBeacon at Heathrow airport. Passengers will automatically receive an electronic boarding pass in their iPhone's Passbook app. Additional messages will be received from the beacons in relation to the passenger's location in the airport.
Retail giants including Tesco and Waitrose have been testing this technology in store too. The range of the signal - may vary due to walls, doors, and other physical objects. Apple adds that the signals are affected by water, thus, the human body itself will affect the signals.

Issues to be addressed

Will iBeacon become an easy way to advertise? For good and bad?

Will it affect battery life, always having Bluetooth on?

Competition - PayPal Beacon

Who we are?

The Digital Tourism Think Tank is the name given to this initiative, which aims at providing thought leadership to the tourism industry in digital marketing best practice. This project was created by Nick Hall, Managing Director at
SE1 Media who has more than 10 years experience working in digital tourism marketing, both in the marketing sector and in Read More ...Contact Us